United adds lounge access at UK airportUnited Airline's Business First passengers and Star Alliance Gold members will have access to the No. 1 Traveller lounge at Birmingham airport in the U.K. United flies six times a week from Birmingham Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. BusinessTraveller.com (U.K.)
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Visitors to NYC are finding more budget-friendly accommodationsThe midscale hotel market in New York is experiencing a development boom. Lodging Econometrics projects 18 openings of midpriced hotels this year, up from four in 2012. "If you look at the broad expanse of New York, it's really upper-midscale kind of customers who were finding discounts or finding less-than-acceptable lodging. Now, there are so many different options. These midblock hotels fill a real void," said Interstate Hotels & Resorts CEO Jim Abrahamson. USA Today/Hotel Check-in blog
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Luxury hotels add high-end appeal to Puerto RicoDorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Puerto Rico is the second hotel that has opened as a part of Ritz-Carlton's newly launched ultra-luxury brand. Waldorf-Astoria, W and St. Regis have also opened on the island, which boasts a convenient location and a growing number of luxury hotels. USA Today
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SHRM Exec Study: Impact of AbsenceRead the compelling results of this 2014 survey conducted by SHRM and Kronos® that demonstrate how a clearly defined strategy to monitor and manage absence, with proper training and automation, can help control costs associated with absences and improve your bottom line. Click here to learn more.

Consumer Travel News

Alaska offers perfect platforms for viewing Northern LightsEspecially in winter, Alaska draws a special segment of travelers: viewers of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. This breathtaking natural phenomenon is more reliably seen in areas such as Fairbanks, where tour operators offer several packages for viewing the lights. USA Today
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How to Achieve IT Agility: A Survival Guide for IT Decision MakersWhen business teams add new apps and services to already-strained networks, IT departments are accountable for making everything work. Is your team ready for this challenge? Read this eGuide to learn how IT teams are automating their networks, why they're utilizing Ethernet fabrics and SDN, and what success looks like as they regain network control and business relevance.

Regulatory and Legislative

Aviation law is having difficulties taking off, report saysThe Federal Aviation Administration is lagging in efforts to implement provisions of an aviation bill passed by Congress in response to a fatal airplane crash in 2009, a report by the Transportation Department's inspector general shows. The agency has yet to fully implement measures such as a database of pilots' background information due to opposition by airlines, the report says. "To effectively implement these initiatives in a timely manner, [the] FAA must balance industry concerns with a sustained commitment to oversight," the report said. The Hill/Transportation blog
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Best Practices

Travel-show attendees emphasize need for specializationVeteran travel agents who attended The New York Times Travel Show in January offered advice for agents looking to expand their business, such as the need for specialization and a strong online presence. "You have to figure out if you're going to be a destination specialist, or a type of travel specialist. And you need to travel yourself. When you can tell someone exactly what the air smelled like or how the food tasted, you can put them in a place to want to experience the trip," said John Peters, president of USA Today's Travel Media Group. TravelMarketReport.com
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Small-Business Strategies

Maintaining your good reputation onlineIt's natural to want to defend your business when upset customers post negative comments on social media. But knowing when to respond and when to walk away is key, writes Christopher Null. Sometimes responding will simply encourage stubborn commenters to continue posting. Consider a more positive approach and bury the negative comment with new posts of your own, he writes. PCWorld
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Making word-of-mouth marketing work for youFirst-time customers are more likely to tell their friends about your business than longtime customers, writes Andy Sernovitz, a word-of-mouth marketing teacher. With this in mind, go out of your way to impress newcomers. He also advises finding out who is referring customers to you and thanking them. "Saying thank you to your talkers isn't just the right thing to do, it's also a fantastic way to generate more referrals," he writes. Duct Tape Marketing
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ASTA Spotlight

Make your voice count with ASTA's grassroots advocacy resourcesHave you wondered how activity in the U.S. House and Senate will affect your business? We recently updated our advocacy resources on ASTA.org to give you concise and up-to-date information on important federal and state legislative activity. ASTA.org also provides you with a quick and easy way to instantly make your voice heard to federal and state officials on key issues. You can also learn more about ASTAPAC, ASTA's political action committee. For more information on how to make your voice count, go to ASTA's Advocacy Page.

Webinar updateRegister today for ASTA's Business Productivity Series webinars. They are all geared to enhancing your business skills and making you more efficient and profitable. Sign up today: